Are you as excited as we are about the new attractions and places to eat coming to the Smoky Mountains in 2022? As 2022 promises more travel and fun and freedom, let’s look at some of the new attractions in the Great Smoky Mountains to look forward to visiting.
Flavortown
Guy Fieri Downtown Flavortown is opening soon at the Mountain Mile and Tower Shops in Pigeon Forge. Fieri, who opened Chicken Guy in Gatlinburg last year, is a celebrity chef usually seen on the Food Network.
Flavortown is a place where iconic food, moments together and fun meet in perfect harmony. Guests will expect the unexpected when they step into the impressive 43,000-square-foot family entertainment center. This destination will be a “must do” option for Pigeon Forge visitors and locals alike.
Along with the 300+ seat restaurant, Downtown Flavortown will feature a 14-lane Duck Pin bowling alley; more than 10,000 square feet of arcade; a full-service tropical Tiki bar; a photo opportunity in front of an iconic 1968 Chevy Camaro.; and lots of options for private parties.
Azul Cantina
Azul Cantina is another restaurant expected to open in the spring, also in the Tower Shops at the Mountain Mile. This new restaurant will be Pigeon Forge’s first rooftop bar offering excellent views of the city.
The restaurant concept is a “flavorful twist on traditional Tex-Mex dining using wood-fire grilling methods in traditional Mexican cooking styles with roots from South America to Texas” Recipes are made from scratch with authentic ingredients and pair well with the restraurant’s homemade cerveza-style lager and hand-crafted cocktails featuring top shelf tequilas and its own Agave distilled spirits.
Azul promises a welcoming atmosphere felt through bright decor, friendly staff, and beautiful views. 2655 Teaster Ln, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863
At Axe House, with locations in Sevierville and Pigeon Forge, add some excitement with your dining experience. One of the hottest new trends is axe throwing gatherings and now you can do it in two places in the Smokies.
The family-friendly experience also offers Pizza at the Cove with pizza, wings,appetizers, deserts, ice cold beer on draft, and a full bar.
2850 Parkway, Suite 13, Pigeon Forge and 1426 Winfield Dunn Parkway, Sevierville.
The Listening Room Cafe’
The Listening Room Café offers a musical experience with singer/songwriters performing almost everyday plus great food and drinks. The Pigeon Forge location is only the second for one of Nashville’s most iconic music and dining venues.
Located in the fast growing Mountain Mile on Teaster Lane, The Listening Room Café is the expansion by founder and owner Chris Blair, a singer/songwriter himself. He founded the Listening Room Café in 2006 in Franklin, Tennessee, and later moved it to Nashville.
Live Music / Good Food
“Our passion for giving you the best live music experience in the Smokies is matched by our dedication to cooking up some of the best food you’ll find anywhere. With locally sourced ingredients and a mix of old classics and new favorites, you’re sure to leave with your ears and your stomach satisfied.”
The menu includes southern favorites with a twist. And where else can you get a basket of biscuits?!
Head to Wears Valley for the adventure and beauty and for WEARS VALLEY SOCIAL, a new food truck park located across the street from Mountain Chick Cafe in Wears Valley. There are a variety of food trucks and vendors each week with special events and more happening as well.
Read more about beautiful and unique Wears Valley in our blog post
3209 Wears Valley Rd, Sevierville
Skyland Ranch
Skyland Ranch, scheduled to open in April in Sevierville, promises to be something you’ve never seen before, combining rides, shops, treats, live entertainment, a mountain coaster, animals, a chairlift and more.
Set on a 100-acre farm, visitors ride a scenic chairlift – chair or open-air cabin – to the top of Skyland Ranch. Plans include an animal farm, food and retail barns, a boutique, Christmas shop toy store, and more.
SkyLand Ranch is owned by Mark and Lisa Williford, owners of the popular Rowdy Bear Mountain Adventure Parks. Rowdy Bear has two locations in the Smokies: Rowdy Bear Mountain in Gatlinburg and Rowdy Bear Ridge in Pigeon.
Gatlinburg Sky Trail
Another new adventure is the Gatlinburg Sky Trail, a scenic walkway connecting each end of the Gatlinburg SkyBridge that gives visitors the opportunity to take a leisurely hike in the mountains while enjoying new views of the now famous bridge. “At just over one-third of a mile in length, the SkyTrail is an enjoyable walk for adults, kids, and even dogs, offering three distinct sections. The SkyTrail is currently open for day and nighttime use, with the exception of the Tulip Tower, which is only accessible during the daytime hours of operation.”
The Tulip Tower is a 70′ steel tower set in the back of the ravine accessed by two rope bridges and features four elevated viewing platforms. There is a special story behind the theme and story of this tower, with information on each level. At the top of the tower, enjoy a very unique view of the Smokies and the iconic SkyBridge. This is an adventure for all ages!
The Skybridge
The SkyBridge, billed as North America’s largest pedestrian suspension bridge, is 680 feet from tower to tower.
To get to the Sky Bridge, take the Skylift up to Skylift park. The lift takes visitors up and down the mountain for spectacular 360-degree views. Visitors get off at the new Skydeck, where they can sit outside, buy a beer and do some shopping. The SkyCenter at the SkyDeck overlooking Gatlinburg offers up “sweeping panoramic views” of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Elevated-Boardwalk
Also new, The Elevated-Boardwalk is a wooden walkway leading from the SkyDeck back along the hillside of the ravine that cuts under the SkyBridge. Along the way, interactive signage provides information about the engineering of the SkyBridge. It also shares the history of the Gatlinburg SkyLift, and the Wildfires that swept Crockett Mountain where the SkyTrail stands.
Cut into the natural hillside, there is a non-boardwalk portion of the trail referred to as The Path. This trail extends from the Tulip Tower across to the west end of the SkyBridge with views of the Smoky Mountains from every step. This section really highlights the spectacular engineering marvel- the Gatlinburg SkyBridge. Along with it are the stunning panoramic views of the highest peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Peaceful Side Social Brewery + Craft Kitchen is Townsend, TN’
Rowdy Mountain Snow Park https://www.rowdybearmountain.com/smokymountainsnowpark/
Dollywood
Last, but certainly not least is Dollywood – a must visit in the smokies and always offering new fun each season for the theme park.Dollywood, located at 2700 Dollywood Parks Blvd. in Pigeon Forge, opens for the season on March 12. For 2022, Dollywood is offering new season pass tiers, expanded festivals and the return of many guest favorites.
The Flower and Food Festival – presented by Covenant Health – will run from April 22 through June 5 and will include several new Mosiaculture – these are larger than life floral sculptures – displays, “increasing the colorful footprint of the event.”
Drone Light Show
Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration is expanding to include more drones taking to the skies above the beautiful Smoky Mountains. In collaboration with Intel Drone Light Shows, Sweet Summer Nights combines the advanced technology of hundreds of sophisticated drones with a traditional fireworks extravaganza. Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration runs June 18 – August 7.
The Gazillion Bubbles Show, one of the most requested shows at Dollywood, returns during the Smoky Mountain Summer Celebration. It will be back for the first time since 2017.
Harvest Festival
“A family tradition for many families, Dollywood’s Harvest Festival presented by Humana returns September 23 – October 29, celebrating the beauty of fall in the Smokies with thousands of carved pumpkins, spirited performances from talented artists and the fun of Great Pumpkin LumiNights presented by Covenant Health. Great Pumpkin LumiNights, which has been named the best theme park harvest event in the world, features elaborate displays that create the picture-perfect photo op for families to enjoy. New in 2022, guests will have a hoot in Craftsman’s Valley as it transforms into Hoot Owl Hollow, thanks to a number of owl-themed displays both in the park and suspended in the trees above.”
Smoky Mountain Christmas
The 13-time winner of Best Theme Park Christmas event, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas concludes the park’s 2022 season. Beginning November 5, 2022, Dollywood’s Smoky Mountain Christmas runs through January 1, 2023. This event features shows, five million lights, and the Christmas atmosphere guests expect during this time of year.
New Season Pass Structure
A new season pass structure—Silver, Gold and Diamond—has been created to allow more options to tailor the overall guest experience. The Dollywood Silver Season Pass starts at $139 and offers unlimited visits, two Bring-a-Friend Free tickets and a discount on Dollywood lodging. For $55 more, guests can opt for the Dollywood Gold Season Pass.
The Gold Pass, includes unlimited visits, Saturday Early Ride Time, four Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, and discounts! The Gold Pass also provides free parking, a one-day unlimited refill mug, and access to “Golden Events”. These are exclusive events just for Gold and Diamond passholders. Only the named passholder can receive the perks associated with each pass type.
Diamond Season Pass
The new Diamond Season Pass provides a premium experience for guests. Diamond passholders receive six Bring-A-Friend Free tickets, larger discounts, and all-season unlimited refill mug per pass. They also recieve a free one-time preferred parking admission per pass. Diamond passholders also receive many of the other perks assigned to both Gold and Silver passes. In addition, Diamond Season Passes provide the passholder unlimited access to Dollywood’s Splash Country.
Gold and Diamond Pass Holders can also take advantage of another exciting new perk created for the 2022 season, Dollywood’s new daily “Golden Hours.” During the first hour of each operating day, Gold and Diamond Season Passes will operate just like TimeSaver passes, allowing the named passholder expedited boarding on Dollywood’s world-class rides and attractions.
Ready to start planning your Smoky Mountain vacation?
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